Gender Differences in Liver Steatosis and Fibrosis in Overweight and Obese Patients with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease before and after 8 Weeks of Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet.

Obesity and metabolic syndrome are linked to steatotic liver disease (SLD), the most common form of chronic liver disease. Lifestyle modifications and dieting are strategies that can prevent metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) is a helpful treatment for MASLD and has been recommended for people affected by obesity; we evaluated the effect of gender on steatosis and fibrosis in a cohort of 112 overweight or obese patients undergoing an eight-week treatment with a VLCKD. Differences between the genders in terms of anthropometric measures, body composition, and metabolic indicators were examined before, during, and after the nutritional intervention. At baseline, there were significant differences between men and women in terms of anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting insulin, hepatic markers, and lipid profile. Men had considerably higher levels of liver steatosis (measured by CAP) and liver stiffness (measured by E) under basal conditions than women. After the VLCKD, there were reductions in both genders of controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, insulin resistance, fat mass (FM), free fat mass (FFM), and fasting blood glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, alanine transaminase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (γGT), and uric acid levels. Only in men, liver stiffness, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels significantly decreased. Moreover, men had significantly greater levels of liver steatosis: the male gender featured an increase of 23.96 points of the Fibroscan CAP. Men exhibited higher levels of steatosis and fibrosis than women, and these differences persist despite VLCKD. These gender-specific variations in steatosis and fibrosis levels could be caused by hormonal and metabolic factors, suggesting that different therapeutic strategies might be required depending on the gender.

Adding a Leafy Vegetable Fraction to Diets Decreases the Risk of Red Meat Mortality in MASLD Subjects: Results from the MICOL Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Dietary guidelines recommend limiting red meat intake because it has been amply associated with increased cancer mortality, particularly in patients with liver conditions, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD). MASLD is the leading cause of liver dysfunction in the world today, and no specific treatment other than lifestyle correction has yet been established. The aim of this study was to explore the protective role of leafy vegetables when associated with high red meat consumption. METHODS: The study cohort included 1646 participants assessed during the fourth recall of the MICOL study, subdivided into two groups based on red meat intake (≤50 g/die vs. >50 g/die), in order to conduct a cancer mortality analysis. The prevalence of subjects that consumed >50 g/die was only 15.73%. Leafy vegetable intake was categorized based on median g/die consumption, and it was combined with red meat intake. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate that the consumption of about 30 g/die of leafy vegetables reduces the risk of mortality. A strong association with mortality was observed in subjects with MASLD, and the protective role of vegetables was demonstrated.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate in heartworm naturally infected dogs "with or without" Leishmania infantum seropositivity: an observational prospective study.

Canine heartworm disease by Dirofilaria immitis and canine leishmaniosis by Leishmania infantum (CanL) are both vector-borne diseases with frequently overlapping endemicity and able to trigger the acute phase response, being characterized by variations in acute phase proteins (APP). Recently, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), an indicator of inflammation, has gained attention in veterinary medicine, proving useful in several conditions that include CanL active forms in dogs. This study aims to evaluate ESR in heartworm-infected dogs, compare levels with heartworm-infected and L. infantum seropositive dogs as well as clinically healthy dogs, and assess correlations with other laboratory parameters. From October 2022 to January 2023, a prospective observational study was conducted enrolling heartworm-infected (Dirofilaria group) and heartworm-infected L. infantum seropositive (Dirofilaria/Leishmania group) animals subgrouped according to the CanL clinical form (Dirofilaria/Leishmania active and non-active groups). A group of clinically healthy dogs (control group) was also included. For each dog enrolled physical examination and laboratory tests (complete blood count, biochemical panel including APP, serum protein electrophoresis) were performed. Dirofilaria and Dirofilaria/Leishmania groups presented a significantly higher ESR level compared to healthy dogs. Dirofilaria/Leishmania active group had the highest ESR level among the groups considered. Dirofilaria/Leishmania non-active group had an ESR similar to the Dirofilaria group, but significantly higher and lower compared to the control and the Dirofilaria/Leishmania active group, respectively. A significant positive correlation between ESR and C-Reactive Protein has been found in all groups except for the Dirofilaria/Leishmania non-active group. In Dirofilaria/Leishmania active group a strong positive correlation between ESR and gamma globulins percentage as well as a strong negative correlation between ESR and albumin, albumin/globulins ratio were found. Overall, the ESR was confirmed to be an inflammation marker as well as a helpful disease index, being notably increased in heartworm-infected dogs affected by an active form of CanL.

Significant Increase in Oxidative Stress Indices in Erythrocyte Membranes of Obese Patients with Metabolically-Associated Fatty Liver Disease.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated hepatic steatosis (MAFLD) indicates the metabolic risk associated with hepatic steatosis, overweight and obesity, and clinical evidence of metabolic dysregulation. Since MAFLD is one of the diseases that show a high frequency of alterations in the lipid content of cell membranes, the aim of this study was to evaluate the indices of oxidative damage of erythrocyte membranes in overweight and obese MAFLD subjects. The study was conducted on serum samples and red blood cell membranes of overweight and obese MAFLD subjects. For each patient, biochemical measurements and lipidomic analyses of erythrocytes membranes were performed. Significant differences in fatty acid profiles of RBC membranes were found between overweight and obese patients. In particular, the Peroxidation Index (PI) was higher in the erythrocyte membranes of obese subjects than in overweight subjects. The same behavior was observed for Unsaturation Index (UI) and Free Radical Stress Index (Free RSI), supporting the fact that the systemic increase in oxidative stress was associated with obesity. The study shows that there is a different susceptibility to erythrocyte membrane peroxidation for overweight and obese subjects, and the increased values of oxidative stress indices observed in the erythrocyte membranes of obese patients with MAFLD may be a possible indicator of pro-oxidative events occurring in obesity-related diseases.

Effects of Egg Consumption on Subjects with SLD or Hypertension: A MICOL Study.

BACKGROUND: Steatotic liver disease (SLD) is defined as a fat accumulation in more than 5% of hepatocytes; it can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), associated with an increased state of inflammation. The aim of this study was to explore the protective effects of eating eggs and any association with SLD and hypertension (HTN). METHODS: The study cohort included 908 participants assessed in the fourth recall of the MICOL study, grouped into four groups, based on NALFD and/or HTN. RESULTS: The prevalence of HTN and SLD among participants was 31.61%. Overall, the results indicated a statistical significance of egg consumption, showing a protective role against the two disease conditions, in both the raw and adjusted models (RRR = 0.34, p = 0.009, 0.15 to 0.76 95% C.I.). CONCLUSIONS: Many differences were found among the groups, and the protective role of eating eggs was amply demonstrated. We can conclude that it is unwise to demonize the intake of this food and its nutritional properties, in contrast with previous reports in the literature.

Development and Internal Validation of a Model for Predicting Overall Survival in Subjects with MAFLD: A Cohort Study.

Background & Aims: Fatty liver disease with metabolic dysfunction (MAFLD) is a new concept proposed to replace the previous concept of Non-Alcoholic Hepatic Steatosis (NAFLD). We developed and internally validated a prognostic model to predict the likelihood of death in a cohort of subjects with MAFLD. Methods: Our work involved two steps: the first was the construction of a bootstrapped multivariable Cox model for mortality risk prognosis and the second was its validation. Results: The study cohort included 1506 subjects, of which 907 were used for internal validation. Discriminant measures for the final model were R2D 0.6845 and Harrell's C 0.8422 in the development and R2D 0.6930 and Harrell's C 0.8465 in the validation. We used the nine independent prognostic factors selected by the LASSO Cox procedure and fitted by the bootstrap Cox survival model, and observed ß were: Gender 0.356 1.42 (p < 0.008), Age 0.146 (p < 0.001), Glycemia 0.004 (p < 0.002), Total Cholesterol -0.0040 (p < 0.009), Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase 0.009 (p < 0.001), SBP 0.009 (p < 0.036), DBP -0.016 (p < 0.041), ALP 0.008 (p < 0.071) and Widowhood 0.550 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: We produced and validated a model to estimate the probability of death in subjects with MAFLD. The instruments we used showed satisfactory predictive capabilities.

Protective Role of Lycopene in Subjects with Liver Disease: NUTRIHEP Study.

BACKGROUND: Liver diseases are constantly increasing throughout the world and are often associated with other diseases, but above all they are caused by improper diet. Adherence to a diet with abundant vegetables has now been widely demonstrated to be important in combating this pathological condition. The aim of this study was to explore the protective role of lycopene (LYC) extracts from cooked and fresh tomato. METHODS: The study cohort included 969 participants assessed in the NUTRIHEP cohort (2005-2006) and the associated follow-up (2014-2016), divided into two groups, based on liver condition: NAFLD, or AFLD and FLD. RESULTS: The results indicated a statistical significance of LYC consumption, showing a protective role against liver disease, the best concentration being 9.50 mg/die, with an RR value of 0.59, p = 0.01, 0.39 to 0.90 at 95% C.I., and RRR = 0.40, p = 0.002, 0.22 to 0.71 at 95% C.I. CONCLUSIONS: The protective role of LYC extracts from tomato has not been amply demonstrated in humans. We conclude that this is one of the few papers in the literature to evaluate the protective effect of LYC against liver disease, as well as how this molecule could be used in future possible treatments. Utilizing lycopene as a supplement alone or in combination with other foods could be useful for developing treatments with reduced contraindications.

Microperimetric evaluation and predictive factors of visual recovery after successful inverted internal limiting membrane-flap technique for macular hole in high myopic eyes.

Introduction: Inverted Internal Limiting Membrane (ILM)-flap technique demonstrated its effectiveness, in terms of anatomical closure rate and visual acuity recovery for high myopic macular holes. We evaluated macular function after a successful inverted ILM-flap for macular holes in high myopic eyes (hMMH) using microperimetry to predict visual prognosis. Methods: A retrospective study on 23 eyes of 23 patients after surgical closure of hMMH, was performed. All patients underwent inverted ILM-flap and gas tamponade. Cataract surgery was performed in phakic eyes. Study outcomes including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), retinal sensitivity (RS) at central 12°, central retinal sensitivity (CRS) at central 4° and mean deviation (MD), and fixation behavior as bivariate contour ellipse area (BCEA, degrees2) measured by microperimetry, were evaluated over 6 months. A mixed-effects model was used to evaluate and compare the repeated measurements of outcomes between phakic and pseudophakic eyes. A regression model was performed to assess the relationship between BCVA at 6 months and independent variables. Results: Overall mean BCVA improved from 0.98 ± 0.21 logMAR at baseline to 0.47 ± 0.31 logMAR at the last follow-up (p < 0.001). Over 6 months, overall sensitivity measurements improved (RS, p = 0.001; CRS, p < 0.0001; MD, p = 0.03), and the BCEA decreased in dimension, although not significantly (p ≥ 0.05). The mixed model revealed a significantly better effect of inverted ILM-flap combined with cataract surgery on BCVA and CRS in phakic eyes than inverted ILM-flap alone in pseudophakic ones. The regression model revealed a relationship of 6-month BCVA with pre-operative BCVA (ß = 0.60, p = 0.02) and RS (ß = -0.03, p = 0.01). Conclusion: The inverted ILM-flap technique significantly improved visual acuity and retinal sensitivity after the hMMH closure, particularly when combined with cataract extraction. Pre-operative visual acuity and retinal sensitivity at central 12° may predict post-surgical visual acuity.

Inflammatory Status and Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats: Old and New Inflammatory Markers-A Pilot Prospective Study.

This prospective study aimed to evaluate inflammatory status in cats affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD) at IRIS stages 2-4, using serum amyloid A (SAA) and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) as inflammatory markers. Thirty-two cats with CKD and ten clinically healthy cats (i.e., control group) were enrolled. The recording of signalment data, complete physical examinations, and abdominal ultrasonography were performed for each animal. Additionally, ESR levels, complete blood count, clinical chemistry (including SAA determination), serum protein electrophoresis, and complete urinalysis were executed. This study's results showed that mean ESR and SAA concentrations in cats with CKD were statistically higher compared to those of the control group (p = 0.0005 and p = 0.007, respectively). The SAA concentration was significantly increased at IRIS stages 2, 3, and 4 compared to the control group. Meanwhile, the ESR was significantly higher in cats at IRIS stages 3 and 4 (p = 0.0003 and p = 0.0007, respectively), but not at IRIS stage 2, compared to the control group. These results provide evidence that feline CKD is associated with a systemic inflammatory status. Moreover, the rise in ESR appears to be more linked to advanced stages of the disease and could, therefore, correlate with the uremic condition.

Enhanced Physical Capacity and Gastrointestinal Symptom Improvement in Southern Italian IBS Patients following Three Months of Moderate Aerobic Exercise.

Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise improves gastrointestinal (GI) health and alleviates irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. This study explored its effects on physical capacity (PC) and IBS symptoms in 40 patients from Southern Italy (11 males, 29 females; 52.10 ± 7.72 years). The exercise program involved moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (60/75% of HRmax) for at least 180 min per week. Before and after the intervention, participants completed the IBS-SSS questionnaire to assess IBS symptoms, reported their physical activity levels, and underwent field tests to evaluate PC. PC was quantified as the Global Physical Capacity Score (GPCS). A total of 38 subjects (21 males, 17 females; 53.71 ± 7.27 years) without lower GI symptoms served as a No IBS group. No significant differences were found between IBS patients and No IBS subjects, except for the symptom score, as expected. After the exercise, all participants experienced significant improvements in both IBS symptoms and PC. Higher PC levels correlated with greater benefits in IBS symptomatology, especially with GPCS reaching above-average values. Engaging in moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for at least 180 min per week positively impacts IBS symptoms and PC. Monitoring GPCS in IBS patients provides insights into the connection between physical activity and symptom severity, aiding healthcare professionals in tailoring effective treatment plans.

Effect of Intake of Extra Virgin Olive Oil on Mortality in a South Italian Cohort with and without NAFLD.

BACKGROUND: Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the main source of seasoning fat in the Mediterranean diet and it is one of the components with known protective factors on chronic-degenerative disease. We aimed to evaluate the effect of a medium-high level of oil consumption on mortality in a cohort with good adherence to the Mediterranean diet. METHODS: A total of 2754 subjects who had completed the food questionnaire in the Multicenter Italian study on Cholelithiasis (MICOL) cohort were included in the study. EVOO consumption was categorized in four levels (<20 g/die, 21-30 g/die, 31-40 g/die, >40 g/die). We performed a flexible parametric survival model to assess mortality by EVOO consumption level adjusted for some covariates. We also performed the analysis on subjects with and without non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to evaluate the effects of oil in this more fragile sub-cohort. RESULTS: We found a statistically significant negative effect on mortality for the whole sample when EVOO consumption was used, both as a continuous variable and when categorized. The protective effect was stronger in the sub-cohort with NAFLD, especially for the highest levels of EVOO consumption (HR = 0.58 with p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study has shown a protective effect of EVOO consumption towards all causes of mortality. Despite the higher caloric intake, the protective power is greater for a consumption >40 g/day in both the overall cohort and the sub-cohorts with and without NAFLD.

Galad Score as a Prognostic Marker for Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for more than 75% of primary liver cancers, which are the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The GALAD (gender, age, AFP-L3, AFP, and des-carboxy-prothrombin) score is a diagnostic tool developed based on gender, age, alpha-fetoprotein, alpha-fetoprotein L3, and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin, originally designed as a diagnostic tool for HCC in high-risk patients. METHODS: We analyzed 212 patients with and without cirrhosis. The population study was divided into patients with liver cirrhosis without evidence of HCC at the time of serum sample collection for GALAD score determination and patients with liver cirrhosis and a confirmed diagnosis of HCC at the time of serum sample collection for GALAD score determination. Patients were followed up until death or liver transplantation. The association between variables and HCC mortality risk was performed, and the results were presented as hazard ratio (HR). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the performance of the GALAD HCC diagnosis. The survival probability was explored using the non-parametric test, and the equality of survival amongst categories was assessed with the log-rank test. RESULTS: Biomarkers were higher in the HCC group compared to cirrhosis. Kaplan-Meier survival probability analysis for individual GALAD categories revealed that a high GALAD level was associated with decreased survival during follow-up, and the difference between the curves was statistically significant (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the GALAD score has promise as a prognostic tool, with implications for improving patient management and treatment strategies for HCC.

COVID-19 Immunization Rates in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Worldwide: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are characterized by an increased vulnerability to complications stemming from infectious diseases. While these patients do not inherently face a heightened risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to the general population, their vulnerability to severe COVID-19 complications and subsequent hospitalization is notably increased. The objective of our study is to quantitatively assess the global coverage of COVID-19 vaccination among individuals with IBD, achieved through a comprehensive meta-analysis and systematic review. Thirteen studies were systematically selected from scientific articles available in the MEDLINE/PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Scopus databases, spanning from 1 January 2021 to 25 July 2023. The pooled prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine uptake was estimated at 72% (95%CI = 59-83%) for at least one dose, 81% (95%CI = 68-91%) for the complete vaccination regimen, and 71% (95%CI = 46-91%) for the third dose. Analysis of the determinants influencing vaccination uptake revealed several significant associations. These encompassed Caucasian ethnicity, female sex, absence of immunosuppressive therapy, advanced age, prior receipt of the anti-influenza vaccine, absence of a history of COVID-19 infection, and the provision of advice from gastroenterologists, all linked to improved compliance. Our study underscores a noteworthy yet not entirely optimal COVID-19 vaccination coverage among individuals with IBD. A multifaceted approach is warranted to enhance vaccination rates. Within this context, the role of gastroenterologists extends beyond direct patient care, encompassing a pivotal responsibility in preventing complications stemming from post-infectious diseases.

VEGFA Status as a Predictive Marker of Therapy Outcome in Metastatic Gastric Cancer Patients Following Ramucirumab-Based Treatment.

Metastatic gastric cancer (mGC) often has a poor prognosis and may benefit from a few targeted therapies. Ramucirumab-based anti-angiogenic therapy targeting the VEGFR2 represents a milestone in the second-line treatment of mGC. Several studies on different cancers are focusing on the major VEGFR2 ligand status, meaning VEGFA gene copy number and protein overexpression, as a prognostic marker and predictor of response to anti-angiogenic therapy. Following this insight, our study aims to examine the role of VEGFA status as a predictive biomarker for the outcome of second-line therapy with Ramucirumab and paclitaxel in mGC patients. To this purpose, the copy number of the VEGFA gene, by fluorescence in situ hybridization experiments, and its expression in tumor tissue as well as the density of micro-vessels, by immunohistochemistry experiments, were assessed in samples derived from mGC patients. This analysis found that amplification of VEGFA concomitantly with VEGFA overexpression and overexpression of VEGFA with micro-vessels density are more represented in patients showing disease control during treatment with Ramucirumab. In addition, in the analyzed series, it was found that amplification was not always associated with overexpression of VEGFA, but overexpression of VEGFA correlates with high micro-vessel density. In conclusion, overexpression of VEGFA could emerge as a potential biomarker to predict the response to anti-angiogenic therapy.

GALAD outperforms aMAP and ALBI for predicting HCC in patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease: A 12-year prospective study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Surveillance programs are strongly recommended in patients with liver cirrhosis for early detection of HCC development. Six-monthly ultrasound sonography is the most reliable and commonly used technique, especially when associated with serum determination of α-fetoprotein, but different score systems have been proposed to overcome the unsatisfactory diagnostic accuracy of α-fetoprotein. The aim of this 12-year prospective study is to compare the gender, age, AFP-L3, AFP, des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (GALAD) versus age, gender, bilirubin, albumin, and platelets and albumin-bilirubin scores in predicting HCC onset. APPROACH AND RESULTS: A cohort of 545 consecutive patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease without suspected focal lesions was followed up every 6 months by liver imaging and α-fetoprotein to detect HCC occurrence. Harrell's C-index for censored data was employed to evaluate the performance of any parameters or scores helping to predict HCC development. ROC curve analysis showed that the GALAD score was more accurate in evaluating HCC development than albumin-bilirubin and age, gender, bilirubin, albumin, and platelets. The AUC ranged from 0.7268 to 0.6851 at 5 and 10 years, both in the total cohort and in the sub-cohorts (viral hepatitis, NASH, and alcohol). The HCC Risk model was constructed using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, showing a strong association of GALAD with HR > 1, p < 0.05, in the total and sub-cohorts, and a better risk prediction in the alcohol cohort, both alone and standardized with other blood parameters. CONCLUSIONS: GALAD is the most reliable and accurate score system to detect HCC risk of development in patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease.

Plasma Bacterial DNA Load as a Potential Biomarker for the Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer: A Case-Control Study.

The gut microbiota has gained increasing attention in recent years due to its significant impact on colorectal cancer (CRC) development and progression. The recent detection of bacterial DNA load in plasma holds promise as a potential non-invasive approach for early cancer detection. The aim of this study was to examine the quantity of bacterial DNA present in the plasma of 50 patients who have CRC in comparison to 40 neoplastic disease-free patients, as well as to determine if there is a correlation between the amount of plasma bacterial DNA and various clinical parameters. Plasma bacterial DNA levels were found to be elevated in the CRC group compared to the control group. As it emerged from the logistic analysis (adjusted for age and gender), these levels were strongly associated with the risk of CRC (OR = 1.02, p < 0.001, 95% C.I.: 1.01-1.03). Moreover, an association was identified between a reduction in tumor mass and the highest tertile of plasma bacterial DNA. Our findings indicate that individuals with CRC displayed a higher plasma bacterial DNA load compared to healthy controls. This observation lends support to the theory of heightened bacterial migration from the gastrointestinal tract to the bloodstream in CRC. Furthermore, our results establish a link between this phenomenon and the size of the tumor mass.

Serum Cytokine and miRNA Levels Are Differently Expressed in Right- and Left-Sided Colon Cancer.

The tumor location in colorectal cancer (right- or left-sided colon cancer) is a key factor in determining disease progression. Right- and left-sided colon tumors are different in their clinical and molecular characteristics. Dysregulation of serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as Transforming Growth Factor ß (TGF-ß) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), and Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), known to be a growth-limiting and differentiation-promoting factor, as well as changes in miRNAs expression, are the major signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of this neoplasia. In the serum from 60 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, we compared the differences in the expression of the levels of TGF-ß, TNF-α, and PPAR-γ and in the expression of the main human miRNAs between right and left CRC. A significant over-expression in the TGF-ß and TNF-α levels was observed in the serum from right-sided colon cancer patients. For the PPAR-γ, the patients with CRC located on the right-side showed lower levels than those detected in the serum from left-sided CRC subjects. Furthermore, significant differences also existed in the expression of specific circulating miRNAs between right- and left-sided CRC. In particular, the right upregulated miRNAs were all involved in the cell growth and proliferation related pathways. These findings confirm that the analysis of circulating levels of TGF-ß, TNF-α, and PPAR-γ, as well as the study of the specific miRNAs in the serum, are able to identify specific characteristics of CRC patients, useful for choosing a personalized treatment protocol.

Age-Related Dietary Habits and Blood Biochemical Parameters in Patients with and without Steatosis-MICOL Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Steatosis is now the most common liver disease in the world, present in approximately 25% of the global population. The aim of this study was to study the association between food intake and liver disease and evaluate the differences in blood parameters in age classes and steatosic condition. METHODS: The present study included 1483 participants assessed in the fourth recall of the MICOL study. Patients were subdivided by age (65 years) and administered a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) with 28 food groups. RESULTS: The prevalence of steatosis was 55.92% in the adult group and 55.88% in the elderly group. Overall, the results indicated many statistically significant blood parameters and dietary habits. Analysis of food choices with a machine learning algorithm revealed that in the adult group, olive oil, grains, processed meat, and sweets were associated with steatosis, while the elderly group preferred red meat, dairy, seafood, and fruiting vegetables. Furthermore, the latter ate less as compared with the adult group. CONCLUSIONS: Many differences were found between the two age groups, both in blood parameters and food intake. The random forest also revealed different foods predicted steatosis in the two groups. Future analysis will be useful to understand the molecular basis of these differences and how different food intake causes steatosis in people of different ages.